Egg carton



March 5, 1935. c. s. ANTON 1,992,983

EGG CARTON Filed April 28, 1955 E 7 (HR/J7 6. AN 70A) PEE Patented Mar.5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFrcs Application April 28, 1933, SerialNo; 668,366

16 Claims. (01. 229-29) while, at the same time, affording adequate andsatisfactory support for the eggs.

One of the important objects of this invention is to provide an eggcarton which is constructed from a single blank of cardboard or thelike, and which can be readily filled and then looked into positionabout the eggs without the use of any additional appurtenances such asstring, gummed flaps or other fastening appliances.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an egg cartonwhich, on account of its minimum size can be placed in the ordinarywooden egg case, so that the usual number of eggs in a case can beconveniently and safely transported therein, and in which the eggs areimmediately available for retail distribution when the case or cratearrives at its destination.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparentfrom the disclosures in the accompanying drawing and followingspecification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illus trated in the drawing andhereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing:

Figurel is a top plan view of a portion of the improved egg carton ofthis invention, showing certain of the locking details.

' Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

V Figure 3 is a plan view of the blank from which the carton is formed.g

Figure 4 is a detail, sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1, lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows. v

As shown in the drawing:

The reference numeral 10 indicates the main egg supporting section ofthe improved egg carton of this invention, which portion is flat asillustrated, andis integral with two adjacent curved sections 12 and 14which are formed in such a shape as to snugly inclose eggs in theegg-retaining depressions'16 in the flat element 10. These egg retainingdepressions 16 are formed in' the usual manner by slits, preferablystaggered with reference to each other, as best shown in Figure 3.

Also integral with the remainder of the carton are top elements-18 and20 which are likewise curved to correspond in shape to the. portions 12and 14.

It will be noted that the package is characterized by the'abs'enceofbinding twine, gummed tape or other fastening means, and is furthercharacterized by the presence of only a single egg supporting element10. This construction is possible on account of the integralinterlocking arrangements of, the carton and the positive means wherebythe top and bottom sections are held in close conformity. to the-flategg-supporting section.

These interlocking arrangements include a'series of tabs integral withthe material of'th'e care ton and adapted to project into cooperatingslots formed therein. For example, tabs 22 are formed integral with themain egg-supporting element 10 and extend outwardly therefrom throughslots 24 formed in that portion of the carton which is in juxtaposedrelation with the tabs or projections 22, when the carton is'assembledinto egg containing shape.

Upon insertion'of the tabs 22 into the slots 24, the'projecting noses ofthe tabs will interfit with corresponding ends'of the slots, and, onaccount of the resiliency of the cardboardand the relationshipof thetabs and slots, will remain in such locked orinterfitting relationship.At the same timdprojections 26 and 28 are fitted into correspondingslots 30 and 32 respectively inthe element 10, .which slots are formed'by cutting away portionsof the egg supporting'depressions 16 as bestshown in Figure 3. The tabs or projections 26 and 28 are formed integralwith the material of the carton by cutting away certain parts of theadjacent portions of the bottom elements 12 and 14 as best shown inFigure 3, leaving the links to join these portions which, when doubledover into proper relationship form looking tabs of double thickness.These tabs, after passing through the flat egg-supporting element 10,cooperate with suitable corresponding slots 34 and 36 respectivelyformed in theline of juncture of the top elements 18and 20. The last topflap 20 is locked in position with respect to the egg-supporting element10' and the bottom shell member 12 by means of integral'tabs 40 whichextend into suitable corresponding slots 42 formed in the edges of thejuxtaposed egg-receiving depressions 16 as best shown in Figure 3. Inthis manner, the entire carton can be interlocked and securely fastenedby means of integral interfitting elements in a snug carryingrelationship with the contained eggs, and, on accountjof the relativepositioning and opposed action 'of'the locking noses or extensions ofthe tabs, cannot accidentally become loose or unfastened. Furthermore,the fact that the egg-containing depressions 16 can be set so closelyadjacent each other on account of the staggered relationship of theslits 38 enables the provision of a carton which is shorter thanordinary and which, therefore, will conveniently fit into the ordinarywooden egg case, which is not true of previous cartons heretofore on themarket.

Additionally, the absence of a tying string and appurtenances or ofgummed tape and the like is a distinct advantage, inasmuch as, onaccount of the integral locking tabs, the carton is always ready for useand cannot be rendered valueless by the loss of a length of tyingstringor the like.

Additionally, a line of perforations 42 extends transversely of thecarton, whereby the same may be conveniently broken in two for theretail sale of half a dozen eggs, if desired.

It will be further evident that on account of the double thickness ofthe locking tabs 26 and 28, anactual cushioning effect is obtainedbetween adjacent eggs at these points, whereby breakage is eliminated,and this same action takes place at the points where the tabs 40 arejoined with the fiat element 10 and the bottom element 12. Obviously,any number of tabs 40 may be provided from two to six, and acorresponding variation in the number of the locking tabs 22 may beprovided. The locking tabs 26 and 28 are preferably six all told, as thecorresponding locking slots 32 can be very convenientlyincorporated intothe blank when die-cut, but this number may also be varied, if desired.Additionally, it will be noted that the locking tabs 26 have straightsides, while the locking tabs 28 are so formed with under-cutsides as toinclude fastening noses or projections which fit over the edges of theslots 32 and 36, whereby a suitable locking relationship results as bestshown Figures 3, 4 and 5. The straight-sided tabs 26 are provided for a.convenient guiding of the corresponding portions together and areoifset with relation to the corresponding slots 34, so that alongitudinal shift of the respective portions of the cartons immediatelyresults, thereby providing the desired locking relationship.

I am aware thatmany changes maybe made and numerous details ofconstruction varied throughout a wide range without departing from theprinciples of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limitingthe patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated bythe priorart.

I claim as my invention; 7 n

1. An egg carton, comprising an unitary inner support and outer shell,the inner support consisting of a single layer, having depressionstherein for the cushioning reception of eggs, and open cuts joining thedepressions in juxtaposed pairs.

2. An egg carton, comprising an unitary inner support and outer shell,the inner support consisting of a single layer, having depressionstherein for the cushioning reception of eggs, open cuts joining thedepressions in juxtaposedpairs, and locking means integral with theouter shell portions of the carton and cooperating with the cuts.

3.v An egg carton, comprising an unitary inner support and outer shell,the inner support consisting of a single layer, having depressionstherein for the cushioning reception of eggs, and open cuts joining thedepressions injuxtaposed pairs, and locking means integral with theouter shell portions of .the'carton, said locking means comprising tabson the bottom shell portions and corresponding slots in the upper shellportions.

4. An egg carton, comprising an unitary inner support and outer shell,the inner support consisting of a single layer, having depressionstherein for the cushioning reception of eggs, and open cuts joining thedepressions in juxtaposed pairs, and locking means integral with theouter shell portions of the carton, said locking means comprising tabson the bottom shell portions and corresponding slots in the upper shellportions, said tabs passing through the cuts for locking cooperationwith the slots.

5. An egg carton, comprising an unitary inner support and outer shell,the inner support consisting of a single layer, having depressionstherein for the cushioning reception of eggs, and open .cuts joining thedepressions in juxtaposed pairs.

and locking means integral with the outer shell portions of the carton,said locking means comprising tabs on the bottomshell :portionsv andcorresponding slots in the upper shell portions, said tabs comprisingdoubled over links joining adjacent separated portions of the lowershell members.

6. An egg carton, comprising an unitary inner support and outer shell,the inner supportconsisting of a single layer, having depressionstherein for the cushioning reception of eggs, and open cuts joining thedepressions in juxtaposed pairs, and locking means integral with theouter shell portions of the carton, said locking means comprising tabson the bottom shell portions and corresponding slots in the upper shellportions, saidtabs comprising doubled over links joining adjacentseparated portions of the lower shell members, certain of said tabshaving looking noses.

7. An egg carton, comprising an unitary inner support and outer shell,the inner support consisting ofa single layer, having depressionstherein for the cushioning reception of eggs, and open cuts joining thedepressions in juxtaposed pairs, and locking means integral with theouter shell portions of the carton, said locking means comprising tabson the bottom shell portions and corresponding slots in the upper shellportions, said tabs comprising doubled over linksjoining adjacentseparated portions of the lower shell members, certain of said tabshaving locking noses, and other of said tabs provided with straightsides.

8. An egg carton, comprising an unitary inner support and outer shellintegral therewith, the unitary inner support comprising a single layerof material having a plurality of depressions formed therein for thereception of eggs, and combined egg cushioning and locking means formedintegral with the shell members for cooperation with said :supportelement, the eggsupporting depressions being circular in form anddefined by central cut-away portions, the central cut-away portions ofadjacent depressions being joined by open cuts. r

9. An egg carton, comprising an unitary inner support and outer shellsintegral therewith, the unitary inner support comprising a singlelayerof material having a plurality of depressions formed therein for thereception of eggs, combined egg cushioning and locking means formedintegral with the shell members forcooperation with saidsupport elementand spaced integral links connecting the shell members, .theeggsupporting depressions being-circular in form and defined :by centralcut-away portions, the

central cut-away portions of adjacent depressions being joined bylongitudinal open cuts, together with a line of perforations extendingtransversely of the carton for breaking the same into equal halves,those pairs of egg receiving depressions adjacent said perforated linebeingseparated by a transverse space substantially twice the width ofthe corresponding spaces between the remaining depressions.

10. An egg carton composed of a single blank comprising two portions,integral links connecting the portions and means integral with the blankfor assembling the same into a complete unit for containing a desirednumber of eggs for transportation and handling purposes, said meanscomprising a plurality of struck-up and struck-out locking tabs formedfrom certain of said links adapted to cooperate with correspondinglocking slots formed in cooperating portions of the blank, certain ofsaid locking tabs provided with integral noses extending in onedirection, and other locking tabs having noses extending in the otherdirection, whereby advantage is taken-of the natural resiliency of thematerial of the carton for a secure interlocking relationship of theparts about the eggs.

11. An egg carton, comprising a single piece of material and includingan egg-supporting element having slitted depressions therein, portionsof said depressions being cut away for the reception of locking tongues,said locking tongues comprising integral portions of the blank.

12. An egg carton, comprising a single piece of material and includingan egg-supporting element having slitted depressions therein, portionsof said depressions being cut away for the reception of locking tongues,said locking tongues comprising integral portions of the blank, andeggsurrounding elements adjacent the supporting element, saidegg-surrounding elements comprising paired top and bottom members.

13. An egg carton, comprising a single piece of material and includingan egg-supporting element having slitted depressions therein, portionsof said depressions being cut away for the reception of locking tongues,said locking tongues comprising integral portions of the blank, andegg-surrounding elements adjacent the supporting element, saidegg-surrounding elements comprising paired top and bottom members, thepaired bottom members being joined by said looking tongues.

14. An egg carton, comprising a single piece of material and includingan egg-supporting element having slitted depressions therein, portionsof said depressions being cut away for the reception of locking tongues,said locking tongues comprising integral portions of the blank, andegg-surrounding elements adjacent the supporting element, saidegg-surrounding elements comprising paired top and bottom members, thepaired bottom members being joined by said locking tongues, and thepaired top members having slots therein for the reception of saidlocking tongues.

15. An egg carton, comprising a single piece of material and includingan egg-supporting element having slitted depressions therein, portionsof said depressions being cut away for the reception of locking tongues,said locking tongues comprising integral portions of the blank, andegg-surrounding elements adjacent the supporting element, saidegg-surrounding elements comprising paired top and bottom members, thepaired bottom members being joined by said locking tongues, and thepaired top members having slots therein for the reception of saidlocking tongues after same have been fitted into the depression cuts inthe egg-supporting element.

16. An egg carton, comprising a single piece of material and includingan egg-supporting element having slitted depressions therein, portionsof said depressions being cut away for the reception of locking tonguesfor both preliminarily setting up the carton and finally closing thesame, said locking tongues comprising integral portions of the blank atthe middle and one end of same respectively.

CHRIST S. ANTON.

